The latest version of Android broke Google's 'sweet' tradition

• Google just launched its latest operating system but did not go with the usual 'dessert' themed name.
• Android Q has been rebranded as Android 10 along with a new logo and watermark.
• Executives at Google say that this has been done in order to make the brand more 'inclusive' and 'accessible'.

Google just launched its newest version of Android and it's not named after a sweet. Today's unveiled of what speculated to be Android Q — along the lines of some obscure desert like Qurabiya — is not actually Android Q at all. Insted, it's simply Android 10.

The reason? Because Google wanted to more inclusive and recognizable to a worldwide audience.

In some regions users don't know what Kit Kat bars are and, in others, nougat might not be an everyday word Sydney Thomashow, the lead for brand and creative for Android at Google, told Android Authority.


And, it also makes sense for regions where no everyone may necessarily know that Google goes in alphabetical order when naming its operating systems. Numbers, on the other hand, are self explanatory.

"We've heard feedback over the years that the names weren't always understood by everyone in the global community," stated Vice President of Product Management at Android Sameer Samat.


Google's 'sweet' history

Android 1.5 was the first version of Google's operating system to hit the stands with a 'dessert themed' name — Cupcake. And till now, no one really knows why. At one point Google explained, "Since these devices make our lives so sweet, each Android version is named after a dessert."

Soon after that, Android 1.6 launched with the name 'Donut' followed by Android 2.0 dubbed 'Eclair'.

And, so it continued in alphabetical order till Android P — for Pie.

It's not red, it's green

Google's rebranding of Android isn't just limited to the name of its operating system. The colors are different, the robot is different, even the watermark's look has been changed.

Green might be known for its soothing appeal but it's not the best representation of Google to people who suffer from red-green color blindness.

The new color for Android, though still majorly green, has been mixed in with blue, navy, orange, chartreuse and pale blue.

Andy, meet Android

On most Google products, users would either see the Android mascot -- Andy -- or they would see 'Android' written out. It was understood that they were both used interchangeably.

But, this time Google decided to not let assumptions rule the show anymore. The Andy and Android now appear in one universal image, with the watermark either above or next to the Android mascot.



If you look closely at the new watermark, Android's 'o' is the same radius as Andy's head.

The mascot itself has had its head bumped away from its body. Instead of the full Andy, Google decided to only use his head for the mascot in the rebranding of Android.

Users will see the new logo and new mascot rolling out on Google products in the coming weeks.